Home Q&A Forum Can a hold harmless agreement protect me from liability if someone is injured on my property?

Business

Hold Harmless Agreement

California

Asked on Oct 30, 2024

Can a hold harmless agreement protect me from liability if someone is injured on my property?

I recently purchased a property with a large backyard that I plan to rent out for events such as weddings and parties. I want to ensure that I am protected from any potential lawsuits or liability if someone were to get injured during an event. I have heard about hold harmless agreements and I am wondering if having guests sign this agreement would effectively protect me from any legal consequences in the event of an injury. I want to make sure I am taking all necessary precautions to protect myself legally.

Answers from 1 Lawyer

Answer

Business

California

Answered 639 days ago

Hello! Yes. A hold harmless agreement can be an effective tool to limit your liability if someone is injured on your property during an event. When crafted correctly, these agreements require guests or renters to assume responsibility for any risks associated with the event and release you from liability for injuries or damages. However, the protection offered by a hold harmless agreement is NOT absolute, as courts may view them differently depending on the jurisdiction and circumstances surrounding the injury. For example, if an injury occurs due to gross negligence or intentional misconduct on your part, such as ignoring known hazards or failing to address unsafe conditions, courts are likely to find that a hold harmless agreement does not protect you. For instance, if there is a broken step on your property that you knew about but didn’t fix, and someone is injured, the agreement might not shield you from liability. Having guests sign a hold harmless agreement is a smart step, but it should ideally be part of a broader strategy. Best of luck! Dolan

Use of the ContractsCounsel Q&A Forum does not create an attorney-client relationship between User and any Lawyer User. The Forum is not a substitute for legal advice from a lawyer but is intended to be educational and to help the user determine if legal services are necessary. The Forum, Content, and communications on the Forum do not constitute legal advice.

Meet some lawyers on our platform

Steven S.

82 projects on CC

CC verified

View Profile

Paul M.

27 projects on CC

CC verified

View Profile

Ryenne S.

982 projects on CC

CC verified

View Profile

Allen L.

275 projects on CC

CC verified

View Profile

Hold harmless agreement for international supplier?

I am buying supplements from a manufacturer outside the USA. I want to make a hold harmless agreement for the manufacturer.

View Jane C.

4.9 (147)

Jane C.

Answered Sep 28, 2021

It is possible to make a hold harmless agreement. It gets a little complicated to enforce when the supplier is outside of the United States.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Sports Bar

Hold Harmless Agreement

Maryland

Asked on Jun 12, 2025

Is a hold harmless agreement enforceable in situations where the person signing it is not aware of the risks involved?

I recently attended a sports event where I was required to sign a hold harmless agreement before participating. However, I later found out that there were certain risks involved in the activity that were not disclosed to me prior to signing. I am now wondering if the hold harmless agreement is still enforceable in this situation, as I was not fully aware of the potential dangers and consequences.

View Sara S.

4.9 (157)

Sara S.

Answered Jun 17, 2025

Hi, It depends on the hold harmless agreement language, subrogation language (if any) what you were aware of and not before signing, as well as why you were unaware of certain risks. The duty to disclose may not have been incumbent on the venue if the sports event carried risks apparent to anyone.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Business

Master Services Agreement

California

Asked on Mar 31, 2021

What are the baseline terms I need in my MSA?

I am working on putting together a larger agreement that can cover everything that I do. I am a Digital Marketing agency and there are a lot of services we provide - Google Ads, SEO, backlinking, content writing, etc. I want to know what should go in my MSA.

View Donya G.

4.9 (61)

Donya G.

Answered Mar 31, 2021

Some of the baseline terms will be 1) services offered 2) time of delivery of the services 3) amount to be paid for the services 4) the responsibilities of the parties 5) what happens if the parties do not agree. DISCLAIMER The answers to these questions do not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship with the attorney and anyone who reviews these responses.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Business

Cease and Desist

California

Asked on Jul 28, 2021

Would like quote for a Cease and Desist letter

I independently do rescue animal work. A small nonprofit offered to help pay medical bills for my rescues. I learned that they have been posting my work as theirs instead of me. They sent me a text yesterday that they won't help me anymore yet I'm the person doing all the work. One of my rescues died and they are asking for donations on their social media platforms after his death yet they did nothing to contribute to his rescue. I asked them to remove their posts but they don't respond and are collecting donations on my work and rescues.

View Alen A.

5.0 (13)

Alen A.

Answered Oct 1, 2021

Hello, Based on the limited information, it would likely cost $750. This would include one telephone call, a letter, and one reasonable revision. Anything beyond that would be charged at the normal hourly rate of $200/hr.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Business

LLC

California

Asked on Jun 28, 2022

LLC or S-Corp?

I am starting a public speaking consulting business with one other person. Most of our work will be done virtually and do not need an office space and will not have a physical product. We do not have investors. We have received conflicting advice about whether to form a llc or an s-corp. The s-corp has been suggested by some as the best for tax purposes, but others have warned that it is much more expensive to start and harder to maintain. What would be best for our situation?

View Briana C.

5.0 (60)

Briana C.

Answered Jul 8, 2022

For a small service business with no outside investors, the LLC form probably offers you more advantages than the corporation. (For example, LLCs offer greater flexibility, fewer corporate formalities, and pass-through taxation which is especially beneficial in the early stages of an LLC if you have other income sources.) The S-Corp election does not affect your choice of entity (LLC or corporation). Either kind of entity can make the S-Corp election, which just tells the IRS how you should be taxed. You can form an LLC at the beginning and make the S-Corp election for that LLC in the future, if and when it makes sense (you will still be an LLC then, but an S-Corp for tax purposes only). The S-Corp election only makes sense to do once your net profits reach a certain level. The purpose of the S-Corp election is to reduce your taxes. Filing the S-Corp election is not itself very expensive, but you will need to incur the costs of running payroll. (LLCs don't have to run payroll.)

Read 1 attorney answer>

Can a hold harmless agreement protect me from liability if someone is injured on my property?

Answers from 1 Lawyer

Dolan W.

Steven S.

Paul M.

Ryenne S.

Allen L.

People Also Asked

Hold harmless agreement for international supplier?

Jane C.

Is a hold harmless agreement enforceable in situations where the person signing it is not aware of the risks involved?

Sara S.

What are the baseline terms I need in my MSA?

Donya G.

Would like quote for a Cease and Desist letter

Alen A.

LLC or S-Corp?

Briana C.

Ask a Question

California Business lawyers by city

Find lawyers and attorneys by city